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Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP)

SNIA announces a new Storage Advanced certification exam

A new advanced storage certification exam (S10-510) is now available, replacing both current higher level exams (S10-210 and S10-310), providing students with a challenging exam that covers the most contemporary data storage subjects.

The new Storage Advanced Certification is the replacement high level exam within the Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP). This new exam will replace the following current exams:

· S10-210 Storage Networking Management & Administration exam

· S10-310 Storage Networking Planning Assessment & Design exam

Passing this exam will gain the new credential of SNIA Certified Information Architect (SCIA) and will demonstrate that the student has an industry accepted knowledge of how to design, plan, and architect a storage infrastructure of storage transport, back-end storage targets and best practices within an efficient total cost of ownership.

Building on a legacy of industry certification, SNIA has developed this brand-new, vendor-neutral certification examination to focus on contemporary storage technology covering subjects that include Cloud storage, storage security, flash and hybrid arrays, file and object storage.

The new certification exam will take its place alongside the existing Storage Foundations exam (S10-110) and will provide a streamlined path towards SNCP accreditation. The new exam will also become a requirement for the Storage Networking Expert credential.

Students who have already registered to take one of the existing exams can continue to do so as the exams will remain available until January 31 2019, and the existing credentials will be recognised for a period of three years from the date of certification pass.

Storage professionals are encouraged to become certified and add a recognised independent storage credential to their product certifications. Demonstrate to your employer that you have the skills in contemporary storage technologies, recognised by the leading industry body for vendor neutral storage education.

How to register for SNIA Exams

SNIA exams are now hosted with Kryterion using their Webassessor platform. Students should create a profile with Kryterion and then log in to schedule an exam.

The Kryterion Testing Network utilizes over 900 Testing Centers in 120 countries to securely proctor exams worldwide. If you would like to know more about Kryterion or locate your nearest testing center please go to: www.kryteriononline.com/Locate-Test-Center

SNIA Exams recognized by Network World -

Top storage certifications for IT pros

SNIA storage certification examinations

SNIA Foundations exam

With the launch of the SNIA Foundations exam in early 2016, the previous CompTIA Storage+ Powered by SNIA has been withdrawn.

Those who currently hold the CompTIA Storage+ Powered by SNIA credential can be assured that SNIA will continue to recognize the credential for a period of three years from the exam pass date and will finally expireDecember 31st, 2018.

You are encouraged to refresh your credential on the new SNIA Foundations exam.

The SNIA Storage Networking Certification Program (SNCP) provides a strong foundation of vendor-neutral, systems-level credentials that integrate with and complement individual vendor certifications. The structure of the SNCP has been enhanced to reflect the advancement and growth of storage networking technologies over the past few years, and to provide for expanded offerings in the future. Through evolving and enhancing the SNCP, the SNIA is establishing a uniform standard by which individual knowledge and skill sets can be evaluated, thereby providing employers in the storage industry with an independent assessment of the student.

People often ask themselves about the real value of IT related certifications and whether it is worth their time and money to become certified. The short answer to the question is yes, an IT certification can be of great value especially if it’s in an area that you are trying to pursue as a career, and even more importantly if it is a vendor-neutral certification which complements specific product skills. Data centers today do not house one type or one vendor of storage technology, it is a heterogeneous environment, and while vendor product specialization is important, it only serves to complement the basic foundational and generic knowledge provided by the leading industry association. SNIA certifications provide storage and data management practitioners with an industry recognized uniform standard by which individual knowledge and skill-sets can be judged.

Six good reasons why you should be SNIA certified:

Attain a framework by which the competency levels of technical people can be judged

Hiring managers tend to view certifications as a more objective measure of a candidate’s skill level than self-reported skills and competency.

Employers in the storage industry want to be able to compare prospective employees, and certifications are a way of achieving this. Having a certification from a recognised vendor is key but to have this also endorsed by the leading industry association adds huge credibility to the process. This tells the prospective employer that the knowledge acquired is both generic and specific and portrays the candidate as more versatile.

Provide HR departments with an insight into skill-sets and desire to improve knowledge

HR departments looking to recruit will differentiate between those who have the relevant industry certifications and those who do not. They also associate certification holders as being self-starters, professionally minded, and with an aptitude and desire to improve their knowledge.

Achieve peer recognition amongst other IT professionals

Personal networking is key to career development. Once individuals have attained IT certification, they join a group of skilled professionals who also hold similar credentials. Typically these groups are global and diverse; professionals who are keen to extend their knowledge via the sharing of ideas and information with their peers typically now join global social media platforms. Many storage vendors invest time in creating a community of storage practitioners where the benefits to the individual may include special offers, discounts on other training, access to beta versions and other incentives for their certified community.

Increase income potential

Many recent studies have shown that organizations will offer a base salary premium simply on the basis that they will not have to bear the cost of certifications already obtained. The added market value that a certification brings can be as high as 30%-40%, with the average salary uplift potentially in the 5%-11% range. Skilled professionals in the storage industry are in demand everywhere and especially those that can demonstrate an advanced level of technical competence in the new breed of technologies for data management.

Enhance employability

Globalization and economic realities have made the IT job market highly competitive. For long serving professionals – or even those just starting out – demonstrating technical competency to a prospective employer is a must. IT certifications provide an industry-wide recognized method of doing that. Not only do the certificates provide a portfolio of the skills possessed by an individual, they also provide evidence of the mindset, determination and ambition. Certifications enhance the personal brand of an individual.

Win SMB customer business

As more and more small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) deploy networked storage solutions, if you are a reseller/integrator having certified technicians on the payroll can give you a competitive edge in winning business and giving the customer the reassurance they need. Customers want to know they are buying the right technology with the people who have the skills to help their business optimize their investment, and this only works if your technicians can demonstrate the right storage certifications and skills.

More importantly, it will be assumed that the technical personnel will have the certifications from the vendor chosen, but having an industry backed credential adds to the customers confidence.

Beyond the initial design and deployment, there is opportunity for service offerings, which also require specific evidence of skills acquired.

Advancing Storage and Information Techology

Explore, discover, share, and meet other like-minded industry members. Get ahead, stay ahead, and create industry curves. Become a SNIA member today!